David "Fathead" Newman - Concrete Jungle (1978) [vinyl]

David "Fathead" Newman has appeared through the years in both straight-ahead and commercial settings. This LP leans towards latter category; Newman here is and was a versatile performer and, on this album, he divides his time almost equally between alto, soprano, tenor and flute showcasing his ability to produce some wonderful Soul/Jazz-Funk. On this date he is accompanied by an electrified rhythm section that includes Pat Rebillot on keyboards and guitarist Jay Graydon backed by a string orchestra arranged by William Fischer. Included in the assemble are other players such as Jimmy Owens, Earl McIntyre, Babe Clarke, Clarence Thomas, Kenneth Harris and Kermit Moore. The tunes include McCoy Tyner's "Blues For Ball", Buddy Johnson "Save Your Love For Me", Stevie Wonder’s "Knocks Me Off My Feet", Bob Marley's "Concrete Jungle" and Marvin Gaye's "Distant Lover" and one of his own "Sun Seeds." Fischer’s arrangements truly compliment this material which can be criticised as being a bit dated, but David's skills are a truly masterful example of this late great player, Enjoy!

Prestige Records, P-10104, 1978

Recorded November, 1977 At Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA & New York City

Musicians:

David "Fathead" Newman - Flute, Soprano, Alto and Tenor Saxophones

Pat Rebillot - Keyboards

Jay Graydon - Electric Guitar

Abraham LaBoriel - Electric Bass

Idris Muhammad - Drums

Bill Summers - Congas, Percussion

Tracks:

A1. Knocks Me Off My Feet {Stevie Wonder} (3:58)

A2. Save Your Love For Me {Buddy Johnson} (5:20)

A3. Blues For Ball {McCoy Tyner} (4:22)

A4. Dance Of The Honey Bee And The Funky Fly {William Fischer} (6:17)

B1. Concrete Jungle {Bob Marley} (7:25)

B2. Sun Seeds {David Newman} (5:17)

B3. Distant Lover {Fuqua, Gaye, Greene} (7:25)

Total Time: 40:04

Credits:

Producer - Orrin Keepnews, William Fischer

Arranger, Conductor - William Fischer

Engineer [Basic Recording], Remix - Eddie Bill Harris

Engineer [Assistant] - Wally Buck

Engineer [Additional Recording-Strings] - Vince McGarry

Mastering Engineer - John Golden

Art Direction - Phil Carroll

Cover Art - Dennis Gassner, Roberto Morrison

Photography - Phil Bray

Note:

See Track [Personnel].txt for more player details.

David "Fathead" Newman - Keep The Dream Alive (1978)

An overlooked Jazz-Funk/Soul Jazz classic from the late seventies. As a profoundly versatile musician and composer “Fathead” showcases his agility on flute, alto, tenor and soprano. With the crafty arrangements of William Fischer, Newman turns an interesting mix of well-known pop compositions and other less exposed and challenging tunes into prodigious music. For this album Newman is joined by a sterling array of fine players. With the likes of George Cables, Hilton Ruiz, Lee Ritenour, Wilbur Bascomb Jr., Idris Muhammad the listener is in for an enthusiastic piece of entertainment that doesn’t falter, Enjoy!

Prestige Records, PR 10106, 1978

Recorded 23^rd May-July, 1977 at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California

Musicians:

David "Fathead" Newman - Flute (#A1,A3,B3), Alto Saxophone (#A1,B2,B3),
Tenor Saxophone (#A2-A4), Soprano Saxophone (#B1)

Jeff Davis, Larry Moses - Trumpets

Janice Robinson, Earl McIntyre - Trombones

Ed Xiques - Baritone Saxophone

Kenneth Harris - Flute

George Cables - Electric Rhodes (#A3,A2,B1), Clavinet (#A1,A2),

Acoustic Piano (#A4,B2) Electric Piano [Yamaha Grand] (#B3)

Hilton Ruiz - Electric Rhodes (#A1,B2,B3), Clavinet (#A4,B1), Acoustic Piano (#A2,A3)

Lee Ritenour - Guitar (#A3,B1-B3)

George Davis - Guitar

Wilbur Bascomb, Jr. - Electric Bass

Idris Muhammad - Drums

Bill Summers - Percussion (Except #B1)

Yvonne Fletcher - Vocals

Renee Manning - Vocals (Except #A2)

William Fischer - Conductor

Tracks:

A1. Keep The Dream Alive {David "Fathead" Newman} (5:37)

A2. Destiny {David Batteau, Richard Holland} (4:47)

A3. Silver Morning {Kenny & Yvonne Rankin} (3:30)

A4. Freaky Beat {David "Fathead" Newman, William Fischer} (5:37)

B1. I Am Singing {Stevie Wonder} (6:30)

B2. Clouds {Durval Ferreira, Maurício Einhorn} (5:57)

B3. As Good As You Are {William Fischer} (6:18)

Credits:

Producer - Orrin Keepnews

Producer, Arranger - William Fischer

Recording Engineer - Eddie Bill Harris

Recording & Remix Engineer - Steve Williams

Assistant & Remix Engineer - Dan Kopelson

Mastering Engineer - John Golden

Art Direction - Phil Carroll

Photography - Phil Bray

Design - Dennis Gassner

David "Fathead" Newman - Scratch My Back (1979) [vinyl>flac]

Here's another LP by David "Fathead" Newman which has been cast aside; this time from 1979 when Disco/Jazz Funk was trying to counteract the onslaught of Rock music and all its derivatives. This album is arranged and co-produced by William Fischer whom also co-writes with Newman four tunes. Many of the tracks are backed by vocals, especially Side A, but the balance showcase many well-known artists giving the listener many an opportunity to hear some great playing. These include: Randy Brecker, Earl McIntyre, James Buffington on horns, Richard Tee, Kevin Toney on keyboards, Cornell Dupree, Eric Gale on guitar, Ron Carter on bass, Harvey Mason on drums and Bill Summers on congas etc.,. Highlights include "Two Can Do It", "Scratch My Back", "After The Ball" & “The Buggs”. An album easily overlooked or put down by jazz purists but in many ways it is a great example of a new style that was emerging in the late seventies, listen with revived appreciation and enjoy!

Prestige Records, P-10108, 1979

Recorded March, 1979 at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California

Personnel:

David Newman - Flute, Soprano, Alto & Tenor Saxophones

Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis - Trumpet

Earl McIntyre - Trombone

James Buffington - French Horn (#A3)

Jerry Dodgion, Kenneth Harris, George Marge - Flute

Richard Tee - Acoustic Piano (#A1-A3,B3,B4)

Kevin Toney - Electric Piano, Clavinet, Synthesizers

Cornell Dupree - Guitar (#A3,B1-B4)

Eric Gale - Guitar (#A1,A2)

Ron Carter - Acoustic Bass (#A1-A3,B3,B4)

Wilbur Bascomb, Jr. - Electric Bass (#A3,B1,B2)

Harvey Mason - Drums

Bill Summers - Congas, Percussion

Flame Braithwaite, Deborah McGriff, Bessie Ruth Scott, Tanyette - Vocals

and Strings

Tracks:

A1-A2. One Step At A Time_You Gotta Keep Gotta Keep Dancin' {Newman, Fischer} (12:22)

A3. Two Can Do It {David "Fathead" Newman, William Fischer} (6:32)

B1. Scratch My Back {Kevin Toney} (5:51)

B2. Rock Me,Baby [Like My Back Ain't Got No Bone] {Kevin Toney, Bessie Scott} (5:32)

B3. After The Ball {David "Fathead" Newman, William Fischer} (3:40)

B4. The Buggs {Claude Johnson} (3:26)

Credits:

Producer - Orrin Keepnews, William Fischer

Arranger - William Fischer

Recording Engineer - Vince McGarry

Assistant Engineer - James Faber

Art Direction - Phil Carroll

Design - Kris Johnson

Photography - Phil Bray